To you who survived (5)
“Why does Ziggs look like that?”
huh? no… Just something to think about… .”
By the time Ziggs arrived at the student library to pick up Elka the closing ceremony had already begun in the central square.
It was an event that all students were looking forward to as it featured all kinds of spectacular stages. Ziggs would have also wanted to see the stage at the central square but Elka was both sorry and grateful that she had bothered to come pick her up.
Elka’s chronic illness asthma is getting worse day by day. The coughing became so strong that it eventually led to bleeding when sneezing.
Nevertheless in order to be considerate of Elka who did not want to stop studying Ziggs moved to the dormitory and took care of Elka.
For Ziggs it was just a natural thing.
If he had not met Elka and been picked up by the Islan family when he was walking through the grasslands in the first place he would not have been able to attend Sylvania Academy and Ziggs’ talent would not have blossomed.
To Ziggs Elka was like a benefactor so he didn’t think it was particularly difficult to take care of her when she was weak.
If Elka wasn’t there in the first place there was a high possibility that I wouldn’t have attended this academy.
“I’ve been thinking about it lately but I think I’m living a pretty peaceful life.”
“I don’t think that’s what a kid who spent his childhood chasing giant wolves in the grasslands would say… Plus even when you lived in the Islan family every day was a series of accidents… ”
“Listen… Elka… . Something like that… It wasn’t even an accident… ”
“… “What on earth did you experience while working for the student council Ziggs?”
“Well… . A lot happened… ”
“… “You must be very busy just caring for me but isn’t it hard to work on the student council as well?”
“No it’s not that difficult. “It’s rewarding in its own way.”
It has a positive effect on the calculation of grades and if you are a member of the Sylvania Student Council you will receive considerable credit even if you leave the academy after graduation.
Since he can’t live with the Islan family forever it’s not a bad condition for Ziggs who is thinking about going out on his own.
and… Surprisingly there are many good things about being close to power.”
Ziggs escorted Elka as they walked down the downhill road below the student library.
Good point… ? “Have you discovered the taste of Ziggs power?”
“No I think power is more often than not a nuisance… If you are close to power you can see many rare scenes up close… ”
“What is that… ”
no… Still school life is quite enjoyable these days. “If I hadn’t met you I wouldn’t have experienced this.”
well… I am just an opportunity and everything you achieved while attending Sylvania was thanks to your ability. There’s no need to pass the ball over too much. And you’re helping me when I’m not feeling well.”
It was hard to count how many times he had to explain that it was natural so he just chuckled instead.
“I heard you’ve been assisting President Tanya recently? how is it?
hmm… “What kind of person do you think you are Elka?”
“Well according to the rumors he is a great person… I heard there was no one like this among past presidents? What about those who assist closely? “Are you a respectable person?”
“Hmm… ”
Compared to his childhood when he was chased by wolves in the grasslands his life these days where he takes on the role of a chaser and hunts down Tanya doesn’t seem to have improved much. Still I’m glad there’s no life-threatening situation.
A busy day between catching Tanya and taking care of Elka… However there are times when you suddenly feel a strange feeling.
― ‘If your real brother becomes engaged to Princess Selaha… So the moment I became the real power of the imperial family my retirement plans were completely blown away… !’
Ziggs was assisting Tanya as she left the royal quarters and moved towards the central stage.
If you look at Tanya scratching her head and sighing she really doesn’t want to work and is acting like she’s dying.
― ‘My retirement plans for a quiet country life almost went to waste… I’m glad your brother refused… !’
― ‘Normally you would be confused as to why you would turn down such a great opportunity.’
― ‘I don’t need anything like power. What good is authority? ! I want to rest… ! I want to rest… !!’
An immature childish brat. A pathetic human being who struggles because he doesn’t want to work. He is an idiot who was lucky enough to sit in the chairman’s chair and kick away his fortune by relying solely on his family’s authority.
Looking at Tanya like this some people might say that.
However there was silence for a while and soon Tanya’s childish and immature tone subsided. And then he chanted in a quiet downcast voice as if he had instantly seeped into the darkness.
– ‘Then we should reexamine the plan to bring together the Calamore family and the Bloomriver family to bring down Princess Selaha from her position as the number one person in the imperial family.’
Anyway Tanya Rosstaylor is the next successor to the Rosstaylor family and the student council president of Sylvania Academy.
Even though I grumbled and whined… He never shows any loopholes in crucial areas.
The back of Tanya lowering her head and chanting as she crossed the path… There are times when something mysterious and mysterious appears behind the scenes.
― ‘We’ll have to wait and see which one will benefit the Ross Taylor family.’
A ray of light passed through Tanya’s eyes as she lowered her head in the dark corner of the trail.
“He’s such an easy-going person and so pathetic that you wonder if he can be like this.”
As they walked down the slope in front of the student library Ziggs spoke while supporting Elka’s shoulder.
“But you should never take it easy.”
As we live in the world there are many people who appear easy-going and act carefree as if they are nothing.
Most of them are actually simple and penniless people.
However among them there are those who hide their sharply sharpened senses like a dagger by mixing in with such a group of people.
Those people are truly scary people.
Ziggs narrowed his eyebrows and spoke to Elka in a serious tone.
*“Tell me straight what do you want?”
The event to be held in the central square is not very long.
In fact after watching all the stages that could be the highlight at once the venue ends with a closing speech and huge fireworks being set off at the end.
The procession of fireworks that filled the night sky must have been truly spectacular but the rest of the stage was actually a collection of things that had been performed separately here and there on the Bachelor’s stage.
There will also be new preparations such as some orchestra stages and theatrical magic performances… Still it wasn’t enough to get my attention.
Rather what got my nerves was Princess Selaha who followed me to the student square and sat me down on the other side of the bench frowning.
“I have never given in to anyone this much.”
As she sweeps her bluish hair to one side the alluring line of her shoulders is clearly revealed. It was a gesture only those who were confident in her appearance could make.
A dress that is neatly fitted and exposes the shoulders is more glamorous than usual. It could be seen as a perfect outfit for Princess Selaha who looked like the main character wherever she went.
Needless to say thanks to this the attention of the surrounding students was gathered together.
Most of the students were heading towards the stage in the central square but it was difficult to ignore the strange sight of the princess of a country sitting with one student next to her.
– ‘That thing over there…’ . ‘Isn’t that senior Ed?’
– ‘I… Last time I was sitting next to Saint Clarice and this time it was Princess Selaha… ?’
– ‘count… This is my first time seeing Princess Selaha in person… But what happened to those two people… ?’
I could barely suppress a sigh as I looked at the already noisy crowd around me.
Anyway the opponent is the royal family. You can’t sigh openly or be rude like you’re showing off.
okay. I admit you are in a pretty important position. I never thought that even Abama would listen to you. “He is after all a man who is good at managing things.”
no. “I just expressed my opinion as it is.”
“Do you still think I would fall for such naive words? Say what you think without hesitation. “I will do my best to accommodate all your requirements.”
Princess Selaha spoke through gritted teeth.
It’s still an overbearing attitude but even to this extent Princess Selaha’s pride has been greatly diminished.
I will do my best to accommodate all your requirements.
Just saying that line would have made Princess Selaha feel like she was dying of pride.
She is a person who is synonymous with arrogance.
Even though the situation has come to this point I never do anything to lower my head.
Even if the world beats us down we never give up the last bit of pride we have in our hearts. There is absolutely no need to cling to or ask for favors from someone of lower status than oneself.
I am now at the point where I am holding my tongue against that belief.
“I have decided to grant all of my requests especially yours.”
“I don’t have anything in particular to ask for.”
still… Are you saying that? ?”
― ‘No matter what happens you must never be tricked by Sister Selaha. ‘This is an issue that is directly related to not only my political position but also yours Ed.’
― ‘The only thing Sister Selaha longs for is what she can’t get. Because once she gets into my hands I lose all interest in her and throw her away… So the only way to fully preserve her self-worth is to never go beyond.’
Let’s say you knew something about Fenia’s advice.
I also knew that the stronger the demands Selaha put forth the more I had to endure and not give in.
however… until when?
Since when can I accept Selaha’s demands and act as if my stubbornness has been broken? ? At what point can we assume that the opponent has completely surrendered? ?
Unfortunately I have not heard anything about that standard.
You just have to hold on and hold on… That’s just what I heard. That’s natural. This is because it is obvious that given her human nature Selahara will have clear limits to how much she can yield and bend.
However the situation changed further due to Emperor Cloel’s intervention.
After the existence of Ed Rosstaylor became a more valuable variable in the competition for imperial power than expected Princess Selaha bowed down her pride more than originally expected.
I feel like I’m feeling an unbearable humiliation as I grind my teeth but… He spits out his lines while holding his breath.
“I’ll give you everything you want… “Didn’t you say it clearly?”
“… ”
“It’s okay to make somewhat unreasonable demands… Tell me… ”
Even if I die soon I will treat you poorly. You can never give up the stance of being generous.
Sky-high pride makes you hold your head high even if it burns your whole body.
“My requirements are not that great… I already know roughly. Abama has almost decided that I will be the next emperor. He said if there was anyone who could give him a little more insight… Abama too will completely bend his heart… ”
The final key may be Ed Rothtaylor.
Hwang Kwon who seemed so close to being within my reach but could not be reached suddenly comes right in front of me and whispers in my ear to grab me.
The desire for power and the ambition to achieve success will continue to speak in Princess Selaha’s ears.
If you bend just this once you will be the next emperor.
That unbearable temptation would crush her head. Bow your head here.
Let’s apologize for our rudeness and continue our friendly relationship from now on. Please please take my side just once.
It would not be strange for any decent human being to bow their head and pray for their hands to become their feet.
Nevertheless.
nevertheless.
Even in this situation where we are right before the brilliant glory and enormous power that most people would have surrendered to.
Princess Selaha… Never lower your head. She expresses the fact that she is on top until the end.
Even the emperor of a country can’t help but be amazed. At this point he is so strong that even God is dumbfounded. It can almost be said that it has reached the level of faith.
or not… I… To you… Do you think I’ll even pray… ? It looked like he was going to bow his head and ask for a favor. I am Selaha Einir Cloel. “She is the first princess of the Cloel Empire.”
“… ”
“You must know that. I never lower my head. Even if the imperial power is right in front of you… “It seems like I’m going to ask someone lower than me to do me a favor by saying I’m sorry.”
“Princess Selaha.”
Can not help it.
No matter what Selaha says I have no choice but to follow the established policy. If you are guided by a momentary decision and take things outside of the plan you never know what variables may arise.
“I am a member of Princess Fenia’s forces.”
At those words Selaha kicked the table and stood up as if he was having a seizure.
also… ! Fenia again… ! how… Do you owe something to Fenia? ?! “It means that we can really love each other!”
“… That’s not the case. “I’m not driven by such personal feelings.”
“Then why on earth are you so loyal to Fenia? Didn’t I tell you I’d give you everything?! Money Power Ross Taylor Family’s Lottery Important Positions in the Imperial Family… You say you’ll give me everything but you can’t even protect me in front of Abama?! There are degrees to that guy’s loyalty… ! “You are so incomprehensible!”
Princess Selaha who momentarily lost her temper and raised her voice suddenly came to her senses and gritted her teeth.
And then he talks while glaring at me.
“Okay geary… Are you saying that you will only listen if I bow my head and ask for something?”
“That kind of thing… ”
“Then will you abandon Fenia and stick to me? You really have bad taste too. “Do you really want to see me lose my pride and bow my head to her?”
I shook my head. I strongly denied that it was anything like that.
Then Princess Selaha’s expression became even more distorted.
“Then what on earth made you fall away from Fenia! Don’t you keep asking me to tell you something? If you want why don’t you say that I will even take care of Fenia’s well-being! how… “What on earth are you dissatisfied with?”
“Because it is not Princess Fenia’s will.”
Selaha swallowed his breath making a strange muffled sound and then swept his face to express his bewilderment.
“When I meet Abama I think I will recommend Fenia to the emperor.”
“That is something to think about at that time. As I have said many times I think Princess Selaha is a better candidate for an emperor. However I am just influenced by Princess Fenia’s ways and follow her. There is no way that the direction of loyalty necessarily follows the direction of power. I can’t give adverse advice to Princess Fenia but that doesn’t mean I can tell her lies… I’m a little worried… ”
like that… The feeling of being given more and more room makes me even more upset… ! You would rather resent me despise me and be hostile toward me… !”
While Selaha was talking like that he swallowed his breath in vain.
In an instant the words came out without passing through my brain.
It is a repetition of repeatedly getting on people’s nerves and irritating their pride only to back down and say that they had no intention of doing so.
I feel like I’m going to get motion sickness from the attitude that seems to be walking a strange tightrope with people’s nerves.
I can’t tell if I’m aware of it or not.
For a person like Princess Selaha this attitude is nothing short of poison.
Selaha gritted his teeth and placed his hand on the table again.
And relax your back… Should I bow my head once? She was truly distressed.
The moment the unbearable temptation of power threatens to shake her head… Strength went into her arms again.
The pride engraved in the realm of instinct somehow prevents me from lowering my head. I grit my teeth and try to lower my stiff neck but… Inevitably the teeth part and the head does not go down.
It was a very difficult situation to watch quietly so I stepped forward and held out my hand.
“Princess Selaha. Didn’t I tell you there was no need to do that? ”
shut up… Shut up… ! Shut up shut up that loud mouth… !”
Selaha’s eyes glaring at Ed were filled with a will that felt sublime.
“On the subject of Confucius’s decline… I… Do you know who I am… . The difference between you and me… Do you understand… ? I understand how infinitely high I am and how noble I am unlike others like you… That’s right… ”
Selaha said that while gritting his teeth… Nevertheless he forced his arm to bend.
And at the end… I slowly lowered my head and spoke.
“Please.”
It was a sight that all the imperial subjects would have doubted if they had seen it. Everyone will think they are dreaming.
“Come out from the Penia side and stick to my side.”
I am not unaware of how much it means for Princess Selaha to bend her pride.
Honestly if I did this… From my perspective since I just need troops for Belbroke anyway it’s not a bad thing to roughly accept it.
however… There is a set policy.
If we accept Princess Selaha’s request as is it is impossible to guess which variables will change… !
Honestly what and how can I believe?
It wouldn’t be surprising if most people would have been taken aback by the fact that Princess Selaha did this and I’m also in a shaky position…
After everything is over we don’t know how Princess Selaha will change her attitude. For me her life is at stake.
So despite the inevitable thought that it might be acceptable at this point…
I speak through gritted teeth.
“Princess Fenia will be sad if you nod your head here.”
“Kaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!”
– Boom!
Princess Selaha slammed the table and sat down almost screaming and sighing.
*’What does this man want?’
If you want to placate a person you must know how to figure out what the person wants.
If that part is met most people will move on.
However even though Ed Rosstaylor gave her everything she wanted she just couldn’t get over it.
‘From the beginning… Isn’t he a man who would have been nothing if not for Abama’s favor? Why do you hold on so strongly to a topic that is nothing special? ‘
Princess Selaha who sat down on the seat opposite Ed and glared at him for a moment gritted her teeth again.
Bowing one’s pride and bowing one’s head to one’s inferiors is for Princess Selaha a fatal humiliation that is as much as breaking one’s soul.
This man clearly knows that too. The sincerity contained in that act must have also been conveyed.
Nevertheless the man’s actions of shaking his head are now astonishing. This is the first time I have ever seen a human being endure so tenaciously.
There are limits to human loyalty.
Ultimately all humans are not free from the logic of self-interest and calculation.
In the end if you can’t appease someone it means you haven’t been able to accurately understand that person’s true wishes.
‘This me…’ Even though I was shown such a humiliating behavior even though I let it all go… ?’
It could be so.
The pride of Princess Selaha who never lowers her stiff head no matter who comes… She is worth a thousand pounds to herself.
However it may be of no value to this man. Of course. I understand that.
But isn’t it just a day or two?
The steadfastness of this man who never gives in to his stubborn heart even after days and days of letters and persuasions… The reason it doesn’t change even after doing this is… .
really… Is it possible to stand still like that with loyalty alone?
The head of Selaha Einir Cloel the first princess who commands the world has been lowered to the ground but does that mean she cannot break the heart of even a single child raised by the declining Duke Naburangi?
That fact disturbs Selaha’s heart. She thought that her last struggle the noblest thing in the world was the most valuable and that her arrogant honor was… I feel like I am being thrown away like a devoted partner without any value.
I just can’t understand it myself.
Like the scenery of the sea facing a storm Selaha’s mind begins to fluctuate like crazy. She can’t be convinced like this. It feels as if she is denying her own high authority.
Everyone has a psychological defense mechanism.
When Princess Selaha who had lost the pride she had cherished her entire life had to accept that it was all in vain.
In order to somehow protect that high pride… It breaks the flow of thought. It’s a natural thing for any human being to do.
‘At best…’ To a man like this… I came this far… The reason for doing this… There is no reason… This me… There is no way I would bow my head for such a crude reason… ‘
I don’t want to be a person who throws away the beliefs he has maintained his whole life just to break someone’s loyalty.
Therefore you need a reason to justify yourself.
Twisted beliefs even affect our own thinking.
Not only that the contents of the letter I wrote while suffering and suffering over the past few days are still engraved in my mind.
The words of love for Ed Ross-Taylor of wanting to embrace him embrace him keep him by his side as a staff member and be with him until the end echo in my head.
Only then does Selaha begin to understand his own actions.
The occasion is not important. In the end all you have to do is convince yourself that it is the conclusion you reached in the end. Human psychology is such a treacherous thing.
In the end it is the same as an opportunity for love. Because they all share the same heart.
‘I am… perhaps… This man… really… ? … Couldn’t it be… No way… ‘
Suddenly Selaha lifted his head and looked at Ed Rosstaylor.
This is a man who gritted his teeth and struggled to get his hands on it. In the end she is a person who never gave up on her feelings.
An inexplicable heat rose up the back of my neck and Selaha was momentarily embarrassed.
A sensation that even Selaha himself could not recognize came up in the back of his head and he immediately lowered his head again. This was truly ridiculous. This can’t be reality. Hasn’t she lived her whole life controlling others?
With that unfamiliar feeling Princess Selaha felt a distant feeling like facing a huge wall. It was her fear when she faced the unknown.
*“When would be a good time to schedule a meeting with the Elphelan family?”
“I think it would be appropriate once the festival is over and the surrounding situation becomes quiet. Still the sooner the better.”
All right. “I will convey this to you Princess Fenia.”
After giving Claire these instructions Fenia organized all the letters sent from the Elphelan family and placed them in a drawer.
And then I took a deep sigh of relief and sank into the VIP sofa.
“Everything… It’s going smoothly… ”
Princess Selaha who has strong pride will never be able to find a compromise with Ed. The longer the sluggish situation continues the more anxious the Elphelan family will feel.
However when things seem to be going well that is when you need to be most alert.
This is because plans from the beginning never go as planned.
“There is nothing more that can be called a variable… I think it’ll be okay but… ”
Fenia sighed for no reason as she looked at the various documents spread out on the table.
The night was getting deeper.
